laser chip and pin. Revolutionary? Hardly!

Chip and PIN is a revolutionary new payment system that introduces a more secure way for over 1.1 million Laser cardholders in Ireland.
Why are we so far behind other countries?
France had a “chip and pin” system at least 13 years ago, possibly longer, and yet both laser and the CC processors are hailing the introduction of the system as “revolutionary”.
I wouldn’t care what they called the damned thing if I could actually use it where I wanted to. Shops don’t seem to have any problem with it, but just try buying something online!
So far this week I’ve had one government department’s site reject my laser saying the number was invalid, while the WorldPay gateway for CDwow rejected it without any reason.
I am not impressed!